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Lomu expects no favors on his way back to the top

New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu is unveiled as Welsh rugby team the Cardiff Blues' new signing during a photo call at Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, on Monday. All-Black superstar Lomu has arrived in Wales to begin a seven-month stint with Cardiff. PHOTO: AP

Jonah Lomu has insisted he does not expect any favors in his battle to make a remarkable return to the New Zealand team following his 10-year battle against a rare kidney illness.

The giant All Black wing has joined Celtic League outfit Cardiff Blues on a short-term contract in a bid to return to the game that he took by storm as a teenager.

Lomu's comeback in England World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson's testimonial match at Twickenham in June following a kidney transplant was cut short by a shoulder injury he sustained during the game.

Now he has signed for the Welsh region and the 30-year-old is aiming to fight his way into a starting place and ultimately back to the highest level.

"I have never expected any favors or special treatment in whatever team I have played for," Lomu told a news conference on Monday at Cardiff's Arms Park ground.

"If that means I'm sat on the bench or not even in the squad then so be it. I will still be there for the squad itself," he said.

"I am the new kid in the squad and I know I have to prove myself. I have got to earn the right to get in the 22-man squad for a game, let alone the starting 15."

Jonah Lomu, the Cardiff Blues' new secret weapon

"The specialist says I will be available for the team on Dec. 1, so I'm just really looking forward to that day. My body feels fine but I'm just trying to get in sink with UK time. I've had my first run-out with some of the players and I feel really comfortable. They all made me feel very welcome and it was as if I had been here for years," Lomu said.

"But I am the new kid in the squad and I know I have to prove myself. I have got to earn the right to get in the 22-man squad for a game, let alone the starting 15," he said.

Lomu was the biggest name in world rugby after becoming the youngest ever All Black aged just 19, and was named Player of the Tournament at the 1995 World Cup. But the following year he was struck down by a serious and chronic nephrotic syndrome that threatened to not only end his career but left him struggling to even walk.

However, Lomu, who has made a stunning recovery and having shaken off the shoulder problem, is now aiming high.

"I came out of the game in June feeling pretty good, and it gave me a lot of confidence back," said Lomu, who scored 37 tries in 66 Tests and made his last international appearance for the All Blacks three years ago against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"Life was never meant to be easy and at least it hasn't been boring. I don't regret anything because even the illness has made the person I am today. But I still firmly believe that I have something to offer. The desire is there to play at the highest level, otherwise there would be no point playing. My goal is play as much rugby as I can, return to New Zealand next year and get an NPC and Super 14 contract and then play for the All Blacks," he said.

"In the past my mind wanted one thing but my body just couldn't keep up. I pushed myself past the limit. However, for the first time now I feel as though the body can match my desire," Lomu added.

"This is a major signing for us and we're delighted to have someone of Jonah's quality and experience. I think we will all learn a lot from him both on and off the field," Cardiff coach Dai Young said.

If Lomu is passed fit to play on Dec. 1 at the earliest, he could make his senior Blues debut would be away to London Irish in the Powergen Cup on Dec. 4 with a possible home debut coming in the European Cup match against Italy's Calvisano on Dec. 17 or Cardiff's Welsh Celtic League rivals Newport 10 days later.
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